“NOT A VAGABONE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 874, 18 January 1930, Page 10

“NOT A VAGABONE”

QUERULOUS PRISONER’S OUTBURST SHOUTING FROM CELLS For some minutes after his return to the cells from the Police Court, where he had been remanded this morning on a charge of being an incorrigible rogue, smothered remarks by Roger James Coyle filled the air. Almost his first remark upon entering the dock was “I am not a vagabone!” Following a long string of complaints by the prisoner and his determination to ignore the questions that the clerk and orderly were both trying to put to him, Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., ordered his remand for examination. Coyle, a labourer, aged S 3, was charged with being an incorrigible rogue, having been previously convicted of being a rogue and a vagabond and having insufficient visible means of support. “What I want to know is when the detectives and police are going to stop persecuting me,” he shouted. The Magistrate: When you start and work like an honest man. “I am not a vagabone,” continued Coyle. still shouting. I’ve never taken a penny from anyone and I’ve never had a fair go in this town.” “We had better take that as a plea of not guilty,” said the magistrate, and both the clerk and the orderly tried to tell Coyle that he had a right of trial by jury if he so desired. Coyle, however, refused to listen and carried on with his indictment against the police. “If they take me for a fool they're going to fail in.” he declared. It was impossible to go on with the case, and Mr. Hunt ordered a remand until Tuesday, Coyle to be medically examined during that time. “You needn’t push me,” said Coyle as a constable guided him to the cell door. “Yes, and you had better not laugh at me either*” he warned an amused detective who was standing nearby. Coyle’s remarks filtered through the cell door for some time before he was eventually persuaded to remain sileuL